RE: I told my victims the truth about prison
I am writing to you re: I told my victims the truth about prison by an ex con.
I served 3 and a half years in prison and I actually did learn some new skills. The problem was, the new skills I was taught did not do me any favours when I was released from prison because no employers would give me the chance to showcase them - because I have a criminal record. I had dreams and aspirations in prison hoping for a chance of a better productive life when I was released but 18 months on I am still unemployed and I am still applying for jobs. I will be brutally honest; prison did not prepare me for the endless knock backs here on the out. I have kept in touch with some of the women I was inside with on Facebook and none of them are in employment.
I have to agree with the ex con about tutors and lecturers who haven't walked in our shoes. I would like to see and hear off more successful people who have been in prison and have overcome obstacles. Learning new skills and furthering education in prison is all well and good but who do we actually showcase these skills to if no one is prepared to give us, ex prisoners, a chance. By the way I admire the ex con for being honest to his victims. My time in prison wasn't all doom and gloom and to be fair; it wouldn't bother me in the slightest bit if I ended up back in there; but the thing is; I don't want to go back inside. I have been to prison 3 times and 3 and half years is the longest sentence I served. The help I have received since being out has been virtually NIL. You are left to your own devices sadly. From Elle
I am writing to you re: I told my victims the truth about prison by an ex con.
I served 3 and a half years in prison and I actually did learn some new skills. The problem was, the new skills I was taught did not do me any favours when I was released from prison because no employers would give me the chance to showcase them - because I have a criminal record. I had dreams and aspirations in prison hoping for a chance of a better productive life when I was released but 18 months on I am still unemployed and I am still applying for jobs. I will be brutally honest; prison did not prepare me for the endless knock backs here on the out. I have kept in touch with some of the women I was inside with on Facebook and none of them are in employment.
I have to agree with the ex con about tutors and lecturers who haven't walked in our shoes. I would like to see and hear off more successful people who have been in prison and have overcome obstacles. Learning new skills and furthering education in prison is all well and good but who do we actually showcase these skills to if no one is prepared to give us, ex prisoners, a chance. By the way I admire the ex con for being honest to his victims. My time in prison wasn't all doom and gloom and to be fair; it wouldn't bother me in the slightest bit if I ended up back in there; but the thing is; I don't want to go back inside. I have been to prison 3 times and 3 and half years is the longest sentence I served. The help I have received since being out has been virtually NIL. You are left to your own devices sadly. From Elle
